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The files below include data for only this specific area. For all of our Trans Canada Trail data for the entire province (including features, campsites and alternate routes), download our BC.kmz master file (1.2 MB)

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About the Route:

This will be a rewarding experience for those of you who are experienced with the backcountry. At this time, the trail takes in quite a bit of roadway. Even if there are efforts being made to take this whole trail off Ministry of Highways roads (about 13 km at this time), the route will likely always include a substantial amount of former Forest Service Roads and a few active ones.

These alternatives to the main route of the TCT give options to equestrians and hikers only. Because of high elevations, the season for these trails starts at about the second week in July to about the second week in October. The trip from Chilliwack Lake is between 5 to 7 days of wilderness and alpine trekking. Chilliwack Lake Provincial Campground to Coalmont is about 126 km via Paleface Pass and about 120 km via Greendrop Lake. Subtract 10 km if you don't take the Granite Moutnain route. Support with vehicles can be provided along the Silver Skagit Rd (Upper Silverhope and Skagit River trailheads) and Highway 3 (Sumalo and Cascade trailheads). 4W drives can make it to Lodestone Lake from Coalmont but beyond that it may not be possilbe. While there are campgrounds along the way, be prepared for wilderness camping.

Generally, hikers have three options from Chilliwack to Coalmont on the KVR:

Go over Paleface Pass and follow the main TCT route described in Chilliwack-Silverhope to Hope (note that cyclists are recommended to take a different option via Hwy 7 to Hope from Chilliwack)

Go over Paleface Pass and head for Coalmont via the Skagit and Cascade Trails

Take the Centennial Trail via Greendrop and Hicks Creek and head for Coalmont via the Skagit and Cascade Trails.

This route offers camping at Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes in the pass. Both these Lakes are in the Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. The lakes themselves are quite beautiful, especially Greendrop Lake viewed from the trail above the lake.

At the east end of the Greendrop Lake is the start of the Hicks Creek FSR trail. Unfortunately, the top part of this FSR has been decommissioned for 7 kms and as of 2014 it has become impassable. Hence it would be quite a slog for 7 kilometres. Watch for a TCT sign going south about 1 km before reaching the Silver Skagit Road.

Equestrians really only have one option and that is to go over Paleface Pass and head for Coalmont via the Skagit and Cascade Trails.

Connection Points to the TCT:

The Cascade Trail (for equestrians) connects to the Trans Canada Trail east of Paleface Pass and south of where the TCT intersects with Silver Skagit Road; for those joining the Cascade from the Trans Canada Trail, the Cascade runs northeast from its western terminus for about 400 metres before connecting to Silver Skagit Road. For those leaving the Cascade trail and continuing to Chilliwack (and Paleface Pass) on the Trans Canada Trail, turn left (south). Turning right (north) will lead to Hope on the TCT.

The Cascade Trail's eastern terminus is located in Coalmont. For those joining the Cascade Trail in order to travel west, continue south on Bettes Avenue, connecting to Blakeburn Road and crossing the river to leave Coalmont - turn left on the south side of the bridge. For those leaving the Cascade Trail in Coalmont, the Trans Canada Trail runs through Coalmont on the Kettle Valley Railway. Turning left at this connection point will take one west to Tulameen and eventually back to the Coquihalla. Left on the KVR (east) runs towards Princeton.

The HBC Trail connects to the Trans Canada Trail at Othello Road just below the Coquihalla Highway. For those joining the HBC trail, cross the bridge over the river and follow the twists and turns of Peers Creek Road as it heads east. The trail route leaves Peers Creek Road after about 3.5 km. For those leaving the HBC trail and joining the Trans Canada Trail at this point, turning left will take you under the highway overpass, then turn left on Othello Road will lead you to the Othello tunnels and into Hope. Turning right (north) will take you on the TCT towards the Coquihalla - at first along a service road parallel to the highway (on its east side).

The HBC Trail's eastern terminus is located in Tulameen at the junction of the KVR rail trail and 2 Street. For those joining the HBR trail, take 2 Street west to the end of town, where it splits - the left split will run along the river and is named Tulameen River Road. About 3.5 km from the start of the route, users will ford the Tulameen River and start the trail. For those joining the TCT at this point, turning north on the KVR will take one to Brookmere and the Coquihalla. Turning south leads to Tulameen and Princeton.

Trail Highlights and Developments:

The main highlight of this trip is the great alpine experience from the top of Snass Creek at the Divide to Lodestone Lake - about halfway, Granite Mountain offers excellent views of rolling mountains to the East (many of them being harvested for lumber) and mountain peaks to the south. Also, the meadows on Granite mountain are the most varied and most spectacular. Interestingly, you are likely to meet range cattle right up to its summit.

The trail starts at about 600 metres/1970 ft at Upper silverhope and finishes at about 600 metres in Coalmont with its highest point being 1900 metres/6200 ft at the summit of Granite Moutain - 1300 metres/4300 ft elevation change.

At this time, it is possible to reach Lodestone Lake, Wells Lake, and Paddy Pond with a 4W drive vehicle. Paddy Pond is best reached via the Whipsaw Creek Rd. off #3 Hwy 14 km south of Princeton towards Manning Park and app 80 km from the Cascade Trailhead. The two lakes are more easily reached via Coalmont.

Those who have 4W drive shuttle service, the trip is possible with a daypack with a stopover at Wells Lake (25 km short route 35 km long route) going North to Wells Lake and then 32.5 km to Coalmont). One would have to be very sure that the 4W drive could make it to Wells Lake Recreation Area.

From the Upper Silverhope FSR, for now, the trail follows the Silver Skagit Road heading south for about 10 km, just beyond the boundary of Skagit Valley Provincial Park. The trail can be picked-up on the west side of the road and meanders along the Klesilkwa River to the Skagit River. Back on the road, the Silver Tip Campground is on the north side of the 26-Mile Bridge, as it is known, while the Skagit Valley River trailhead is on the southside.

This trail generally keeps the rushing Skagit River on your left but is not necessarily within sight. It is part of the Old Whatcom Trail. The main features include wild rhododendrons, black cottonwoods, ponderosa pine, old-growth forest and vestiges of past mining.

If the entrance of the trail is flooded, it is possible to get around the flooding 100 to 150 metres south on the Silver Skagit road and by following the flagging back to the main trail. Care should be taken to stay on the Skagit River Trail and not take the Centennial Trail about 20 minutes into the trail.

From Sumalo, where the Sumalo River meets the Skagit River, follow the Highway heading northeast for about 3 km past Rhododendron Flats on the right. It is worth going in this rather extraodinary park displaying a large grove of wild Rhododendrons. The Cascade Trailhead and parking is on the left side just after crossing a Highway bridge over Snass Creek. Snass Creek meets the Skagit River in Rhododendron Fflats.

Snass Creek/Dewdney Trail - Cascade Trailhead to Paradise Valley

10 km to the Divide at the Snass View Campground. Elevation - 1450m/4750ft

Add another 4 km to the Tulameen camp in Paradise Valley. This camp has a lodge that is looked after by the Backcountry Horsemen.

Start at the Cascade Trailhead in Manning park east of Rhododendron Flats. Stay on the Dewdney Trail following Snass Creek. Ignore signs to the Whatcom Trail. At this time be prepared to crash through high underbrush for about 3 km past Dry Lake. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and waterproof boots.

At the Divide make sure to take the trail to Paradise Valley along the Tulameen and not the Warburton Trail.

At about 2.8 km past Tulameen Camp a decision needs to be make whether to follow the Blackeyes/Whatcom Trail, the HBC via Horseguard Camp or the Dewdney Trail (See the Google Earth Map). Only the Dewdney Trail is described here for now. To follow the Dewdney Trail around up and over Granite Mountain, first cross the Tulameen River and further on Holding Creek. There is a Hubbard Wilderness Camp on the way along Hubbard Creek. Near Paddy's Pond there is a trail junction. Be sure to take the trail/4W drive road going up Granite Mountain. From the summit head for Wells Lake Camp.

Wells Lake Camp to Coalmont - 34.5 km

To Lodestone Lake Camp - 14 km - elevation 1825m/5990ft

Lodestone to Coalmont - 20.5 km

Soon after leaving Wells Lake Camp the trail goes around pond and then heads northward to Coalmont for a pleasant trek to Lodestone Lake in an alpine forest between 1600m/5300ft and 1800m/5900ft elevation.

From Lodestone Lake follow a Forest Service Roads all the way to Coalmont. It passes by a Provincial Campground along the Tulameen River about one km before Coalmont across the River. Another option is to take the route as indicated on the Google Earth Map to Tulameen (about 3 km shorter).

Report a Trail Closure

ONLY USE THIS FORM TO REPORT CLOSURES ON THE TRANS CANADA TRAIL / THE GREAT TRAIL.

Trail maintenance issues are the responsibility of the Trail Steward, which is either the trail owner or a group given authorization to perform maintenance work. Trails BC is a trail steward for a very limited number of trail segments on the Trans Canada Trail; unfortunately, if a major trail issue occurs along the Trans Canada Trail, there is often very little we can do about it - but we can try to pass on the information to the trail steward, if one exists.

Information such as a precise location (GPS waypoint), photo, as well as your contact information is extremely helpful to ensure the problem is accurately reported.

AGAIN, DO NOT USE THIS FORM TO SUBMIT NOTICES ABOUT TRAILS THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE TRANS CANADA TRAIL. We will simply delete the submission and it will not be posted or passed on to anyone. If you need to report a closure on such a trail, please determine the trail owner or operator and send a notice to them.

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Is the trail completely blocked? *

Yes. Bypassing this section is necessary for all users.

No. It is possible to walk through.

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